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Department of Materials Science and Engineering

4th in the UK for engineering: materials and mineralThe Guardian University Guide 2019

Guaranteed five-month extended industrial placement for all MEng students

Course description

If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you. After successfully completing the foundation year, which has modules in mathematics, physics and chemistry, you can start the MEng degree.

In our core undergraduate degree, you'll discover the underlying principles of materials science, and how these are applied across materials engineering situations. You can keep your course general or tailor your degree with optional materials modules.

As well as lectures and tutorials, you'll learn through experiencing real-world engineering situations with extensive practical work in important manufacturing processes and using the latest investigative equipment.

In the first year, you'll take the Global Engineering Challenge. Working with students from other engineering courses, you'll have to find creative solutions to problems. The project looks at challenges faced by communities throughout the world. It's designed to develop you as a professional engineer and get you thinking about sustainable solutions.

If you enjoy a specific area of materials science, you may choose to switch to one of our more specialised courses before the end of the second year.

All MEng courses include a guaranteed five month paid industrial placement, which may be in the UK or abroad. This is a great way of getting additional experience and improving your CV.

In the third and fourth year of the MEng degrees, you'll take part in four Industrial Training Programmes, focusing on the areas of nuclear, glass, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. For each, there are small group seminars with industry experts and engineers, academic lectures and visits to industry sites and technology centres. You'll apply your materials science and engineering knowledge to analyse and solve a real current industrial problem.

GCSE Maths grade 7/A, GCSE Science grade 6/B and successful completion of a Maths test are required for BTEC Extended Diploma, Access to HE Diploma and A Level applicants without A Level Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biology. Please contact the department for more information.

A Level applicants with A Level Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biology, GCSE Maths 6/B and Science grade 6/B are required.

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade C/4; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers.

In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Materials is an extremely important area of technology as any physical thing that is made has to be created from materials. Frequently the properties those materials can achieve are what controls the performance. Materials Scientists understand why materials have certain properties and research new materials with better performance to help produce and use these materials in real products, large and small.

Sheffield has long been a centre of materials innovation, and with a history of research excellence that can be traced back 135 years, this department was one of the foundation stones of the University.

We strive to give you a valuable and unforgettable university experience. By accessing state-of-the-art multidisciplinary engineering laboratories, direct contact with industrial partners, and excellent learning resources, you will be given the opportunity and support to develop the skills you need to succeed at university and flourish in your career once you graduate.

Taught in our brand new engineering building, The Diamond (pictured), you'll have access to our dedicated state-of-the-art materials laboratories, as well other cutting-edge multidisciplinary engineering laboratories including a clean room and biomaterials and light structure laboratories.

What our graduates do

Prospective employers recognise the value of our courses, and that students are fully equipped to apply their knowledge to industry and further research. Above all else they value graduates with specialist skills and personal experience.

Our graduates work for organisations including Atkins, McLaren, Rolls-Royce and Airbus as materials ‭engineers, metallurgists, manufacturing engineers, and research scientists among many others.

Over the past four years, more than 95 per cent of our graduates have secured employment or gone on to further study within six months of graduation. In the same period, the mean starting salary for a Sheffield materials graduate has been £26,400 (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2017).

Student profile

"The lecturers here are fantastic. There's a whole range of people. Each one is friendly and approachable, they're all great teachers. It's great to have somebody interesting teaching your course. Here, they definitely are."

Applicant open days
If you've made an application to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our applicant open days, which take place between November and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.

Campus tours
Campus tours run regularly throughout the year, at 1pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.